Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., he later changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology.
- Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
- Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954.
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) following Rosa Parks' arrest.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights, including the March on Washington in 1963.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Opposed the Vietnam War, arguing it diverted resources from domestic social programs.
- Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Strength to Love (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is one of nonviolent resistance and social justice advocacy. His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement transformed American society and continues to inspire movements for equality around the world. The ongoing interest in his life is evident in the continued study of materials like the 'atiqullah baryalai biography of martin luther king', among others, that aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of his life and work.